Harlem seems to be conflicted over what to do about Afrika Owes, the former straight-A student who is now being held at Rikers after being charged with carrying guns to the 137th Street Crew. Harlem's Reverend Calvin Butts says she's been led astray, and even compared her to Patty Hearst. And now lawyer Elsie Chandler has filed papers asking for a reduction or dismissal of her bail, claiming Owes is "full of promise, brilliant, kind and deeply troubled."
Many of Owes's former teachers also wrote letters. KIPP STAR charter school official Margaret Runyan-Shefa wrote, "Toward the end of my tenure as principal, Afrika began straying off the course many people thought she was destined to follow," and the wife of one of her Deerfield Academy teachers said, "It was obvious to those who knew her that her life was not without struggles. She was distracted with worry about home and family." However, at least one Harlem parent thinks struggles at home are no excuse for a life of crime. Jackie Rowe-Adams said, "These kids gotta learn a lesson. They cannot come out on no bail. ... She needs to be rehabilitated because something is mighty wrong."
Prosecutors busted Owes after tapping phone calls she conducted with boyfriend Jaquan Layne, who is currently at Rikers for armed robbery. They reportedly spoke about moving guns and made plans to move to Pennsylvania and continue his drug trade. She is currently being held on $50,000 bail.
